Synthesis of gem-Difluoromethylenated Bicyclo[m.n.0]alkan-1-ols and Their Ring-Expansion to gem-Difluoromethylenated Macrocyclic Lactones

Application of mixed phosphorus/sulfur ligands based on terpenoids in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution and Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation

A small library of easily prepared diamidophosphite-sulfides based on 1,3-thioether alcohols, primarily of terpenoid nature, was developed. Upon complexation with Pd(II) ions, these hemilabile ligands showed the ability to form both P,S-chelates and complexes with two ligands P-monodentately bonded to the metal. The structures of the ligands and their complexes were determined by 2D NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The use of these stereoselectors provided up to 95% ee in the classic Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions of (E)-1,3-diphenylallyl acetate with C- and N-nucleophiles and up to 80% ee in the Pd-mediated allylic alkylation of cinnamyl acetate with β-ketoesters. In addition, ee values of up to 90% with quantitative conversion were achieved in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl esters of unsaturated acids. The effects of the structural parameters, reaction conditions and ligand-to-metal ratio on the catalytic results are discussed.

TADDOL-based P,S-bidentate phosphoramidite ligands in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution

A series of easy-to-prepare and modular chiral P,S-bidentate phosphoramidites were synthesized. With respect to Pd(II), these ligands showed the ability to form stable P,S-chelate allylic complexes. The structures of the ligands and their complexes were confirmed by 2D NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These chiral inducers provided up to 99% ee in the Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution of (E)-1,3-diphenylallyl acetate with C- and N-nucleophiles and up to 94% ee in the Pd-mediated allylic alkylation of cinnamyl esters with β-ketoesters and 2,5-dimethylpyrrole. Furthermore, up to 92% ee with quantitative conversion and chemo- and regioselectivity was achieved in the rare reaction between 2-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-1-phenylallyl acetate and aniline. The effects of the structural parameters, reaction conditions and ligand-to-metal ratio on the catalytic results are discussed. It was shown that the ligands surpass their analogues with different denticity.

Asymmetric Synthesis of a Quaternary Carbon Stereogenic Center by Organocatalysis Using a Primary Amino Acid and Its Salt

In this personal account, our recent developments on the asymmetric synthesis of a quaternary carbon stereogenic center by organocatalysis using a primary amino acid and its salt as a catalyst are described in three chapters: (1) conjugate addition to nitroalkenes and vinyl ketones, (2) nucleophilic addition to π-allyl palladium complexes, and (3) nucleophilic substitution reactions with allyl and propargyl halides. By these methods, asymmetric α-allylation of α-branched aldehydes and ketones smoothly proceeded to give γ-nitroaldehydes, ketoaldehydes, α-allylated aldehydes, and α-allylated β-ketoesters possessing a quaternary carbon stereogenic center in good yields with high enantioselectivities.

Design and Synthesis of Fsp3-Enriched Spirocyclic-Based Biological Screening Compound Arrays via DOS Strategies and Their NNMT Inhibition Profiling

Medicinal chemists are keen to explore tridimensional compounds, especially when it comes to small molecules. It has already been stressed that the majority of known drugs tend to be flat, whereas natural products tend to be more tridimensional and represent a good source of active compounds. 3D metrics have been implemented and computational descriptors are available to evaluate and prioritize compounds based on their 3D geometry. This is usually done by comparing the saturated carbon atoms in a molecule with the total number of its non-hydrogen atoms (the Fsp3 value). While this aspect is clear, still there are not enough synthetic tools that support the realization of novel chemotypes that conform to these criteria. Herein we describe a diversity oriented synthesis (DOS) synthetic cascade technology that starts from two simple reagents, and generates highly enriched Fsp3 novel and diverse spiro-scaffolds with pragmatic synthetic handles (points of diversity). The spiro nature of these scaffolds not only ensures high Fsp3 values but renders the compounds more rigid and therefore more effective in forming precise stereo-interactions with their potential biological targets. These compounds were also profiled for their drug-like properties and as potential modulators of the NNMT enzyme.

Diverse “roof shaped” chiral diamidophosphites: palladium coordination and catalytic applications

“Roof shaped” chiral diamidophosphites of various structures and denticities were obtained and tested in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution.

Chalcogenide-Catalyzed Intermolecular Electrophilic Thio- and Halofunctionalization of gem-Difluoroalkenes: Construction of Diverse Difluoroalkyl Sulfides and Halides

Thio- and halodifluoromethylated compounds are an important class of compounds in medicinal chemistry and organic synthesis. Herein, we report a facile method for the construction of these compounds via chalcogenide-catalyzed intermolecular electrophilic thio- and halofunctionalization of gem-difluoroalkenes. Simple treatment of gem-difluoroalkenes with electrophilic sulfur/halogen reagents and various O- or N-nucleophiles affords diverse multifunctionalized thio- and halodifluoromethylated compounds. This reaction features a relatively broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and mild reaction conditions.

Diamidophosphites from β-hydroxyamides: readily assembled ligands for Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution

Novel diamidophosphites based on β-hydroxyamides were prepared, and their individual and in situ formed complexes were tested in Pd-mediated allylations.

P-Chiral 1,7-diphosphanorbornenes: from asymmetric phospha-Diels-Alder reactions towards applications in asymmetric catalysis

A straightforward synthesis of P-chiral polycyclic phosphines by an asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction of 1-alkyl-1,2-diphospholes and (5R)-(l-menthyloxy)-2(5H)-furanone (MOxF) is presented. The [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 1,2-diphospholes 1-3 with MOxF (4) proceeded with high diastereoselectivity (de up to 90%) resulting in the corresponding enantiopure anti-endo-1,7-diphosphanorbornenes 5a-7a. The absolute configuration of 5-7 was proved by a variety of 1D/2D NMR correlation methods. The use of the anti-endo-1,7-diphosphanorbornene 5a in the Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of cinnamyl acetate 8 with cyclic β-ketoesters 9a,b provided up to 52% ee.

Oxalamide-based bisdiamidophosphites: synthesis, coordination, and application in asymmetric metallocatalysis

A new group of P*-chiral bisdiamidophosphites has been developed for Pd- and Rh-catalyzed asymmetric reactions with good to excellent enantioselectivities.